Bi syndrome

Question 1

Wandering Bi (Xing Bi)

Answer 1

• Mainly caused by pathogenic wind
• Migrating or wandering pain – Chief Symptom
• Affects the wrist, elbow, knee & ankle
• Limitation of movement
• Chills and fever

Tongue: Thin coat that may have a sticky coat
Pulses: Superficial and either tight or slow

Question 2

Painful Bi (Tong Bi)

Answer 2

• Mainly caused by pathogenic cold
• Severe pain or stabbing pain – Chief Symptom
• Alleviated by warmth and aggravated by cold
• Localized, fixed pain with no redness or heat
Tongue: Thin and white coat
Pulse: Wiry and tense

Question 3

Fixed Bi (Zhuo Bi)

Answer 3

• Mainly caused by pathogenic dampness
• Marked soreness, numbness & heaviness – Chief Symptom
• Aggravated on cloudy and rainy days
Tongue: Sticky and white coat
Pulse: Soft or slippery

Question 4

Heat Bi (Re Bi)

Answer 4

• Mainly caused by heat manifestations and sudden onset
• Local redness and swelling pain – Chief Symptom
• Alleviated by cold and aggravated by heat
• Arthralgia involving one or several joints
• Excruciating pain with limitation of movement
• Fever and thirst
Tongue: Yellow coat
Pulse: Rolling and rapid

Question 5

Skin Bi (Raynaud’s)

Answer 5

• Numbness of the skin with a cold sensation

Question 6

Muscle Bi (Charlie Horse, contusions)

Answer 6

• Soreness, numbness and pain of the muscles

Question 7

Tendon Bi (tendonitis)

Answer 7

• Soreness, pain and stiffness of the tendons and muscles

Question 8

Vessel Bi (DVT or venous stasis)

Answer 8

• Pain due to blockage of vessels

Question 9

Bone Bi (osteoarthritis)

Answer 9

• Soreness, heaviness and pain of the joints which fail to perform their functions

Question 10

Herb for Wandering Bi

Answer 10

Fang feng tang

Expels wind, clears, drain damp, expels wind-damp or wind -water

Question 11

Herb for Painful Bi

Answer 11

Wu you tang
(Warms the channels, disperses wind, and alleviates pain)
Xiao huo luo dan wan
(Warms the interior, warms the channel, invigorates the collaterals, moves qi and blood, displels
phlegm turbidity, relieves pain)
dang gui si ni wan
(Warms and opens the channels, disples cold, tonifies qi and blood, releives pain)

Question 12

Herbs for Fixed Bi

Answer 12

Yi yi ren tang

Disperses swelling in the exterior and treats dry blood in the interior

Question 13

Herbs for Heat Bi

Answer 13

Bai hu jia gui hi tang

For wind-damp-heat painful obstruction